2011 in Review: Festivals and Celebrations

It was a year of “firsts” too, with an Hispanic Festival in Los Angeles and an event on the first anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. Click on each headline to see powerful stories of changed lives that just might impact your own.Festival of Hope in HyderabadSo many hungry souls came to hear Franklin Graham preach the Gospel in India that several thousand spilled into the surrounding parking lot, bringing attendance at the Hyderabad Festival on Sunday alone to more than 73,000. Over the five events, a total of 289,509 people heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Lithuania Festival of HopeWatching hundreds stream forward in each of three services, and over 28,000 exposed to a clear Gospel presentation this weekend, one long-time Vilnius Christian leader is nearly in a state of disbelief about the revival taking place: “You see the impact, but it’s hard to believe this is happening.”

Praising God in the United KingdomPreaching on three consecutive nights just east of London, Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham and son of Franklin Graham, shared messages of hope that resonated with close to 2,000 people at Rock Thurrock. Hundreds made decisions for Christ over the weekend.

Lighting Up the Winnipeg SkyThe kaleidoscope of colors that burst open in the nighttime sky as Rock the River concluded paled in comparison to the rejoicing in heaven over hundreds of changed lives.

Rock the Range: It’s a WrapMore than 28,000 flooded Dick’s Sporting Goods Park near Denver Aug. 27-28 for great music and powerful messages from Franklin Graham. Hundreds accepted Christ during the two-day Rock the Range festival.

God Ordains Blessings at Rock the LakesA total of 26,500 people came out to Veterans Park in Milwaukee Aug. 20-21 for fun, music and Gospel messages from Franklin Graham. More than 860 people made decisions that will impact their lives for eternity.

A Downpour of God’s Love in KenyaDespite rainy conditions that hovered around the Mama Scrape Grounds all weekend, more than 14,000 Kenyans came out to the Will Graham Celebration of Peace Nakuru and hundreds made decisions for Christ.

Reaching L.A’s Hispanic Community Some 18,722 people gathered June 25-26 near Los Angeles for the first-ever Franklin Graham Festival de Esperanza. During the two-day event, more than 1,500 responded to the Gospel message. Meet some of the people whose lives were changed.

A New Day on the Jersey ShoreA new day dawned on the Jersey Shore this weekend as evangelist Will Graham – accompanied by several top musical artists – presented the good news of Jesus Christ to audiences totaling 13,871 over the three-day event, with 860 responding to Graham’s invitation to make a decision for Jesus.

Filipinos Face Future with Fresh FaithBringing together friends from all over the southern part of the Philippines, the Bicol Celebration of Hope changed the hearts of over 20,000, who came to hear Will Graham proclaim the Good News of the Gospel over a four-day period.

Complete Coverage of Liberia Life FestivalAlthough it was established as the “Land of the Free” in the 1820s, Liberia in recent years has been held captive by civil war, poverty and social turmoil. Speaking in the African nation in March, Franklin Graham pointed many people to the freedom found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Franklin Graham Shares God’s Love in HaitiIn the midst of death and disease, the will of the Haitian people remains strong. They are incredibly resilient and many are putting their faith in God to save and protect them. On a hot Sunday afternoon in Port-au-Prince, scores of Haitians were filled with the love of Christ during the Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham.

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